Two years ago, at the age of 43, I received a call that my biological mom had passed away. My first emotion was not grief. My first thought was, “Wow, I guess I really am never going home,” and because of this my first emotion was sadness.

Here I am, an adult with a family, somewhat successful – and somewhere deep inside I never let go of that hope. Foster children today hold onto that same hope.

Think about the benefit foster children could have if we “alumni” of foster care stepped forward and spent a little time with abused and neglected children. Think of the impact we could have if we were the people that look up to because we lived through what they are living through.

Maybe it is time to stop thinking of ourselves as “former foster kids” but rather as “foster alumni.” We really have so much to offer and should take pride in what we survived. We need to give this generation of foster children the hope that so many of us didn’t have.

There are so many organizations that are looking for volunteers to reach out to foster children. Organizations such as
In My Shoes, Inc.
Matches foster care alumni with kids 16 ˝ - 17 that are transitioning from foster care.

Foster Care Alumni of America,
Their mission statement is:
Foster Care Alumni of America ensures high quality of life for those in and from foster care through the collective voice of alumni.

The Foster Care Review Board,
The above link is to the Arizona FCRB site. They are a member of the National Association of Foster Care Reviewers.

Court Appointed Special Advocate
This is the national CASA site.

Through our experience as foster care alumni, we have paved a path to success. Now let’s guide the next generation of foster youth down that path so that they can set an example for future generations.

So next time you hear the question: What happens to foster children when they grow up?, stand tall, speak out and let people know that some of the leaders in our community are foster care alumni.

The writer is director of the Dependent Children’s Services Division at the Arizona Supreme Court.